Beautiful Bulldog Contest 2022: Bam Bam crowned top dog in Iowa pageant

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By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

DES MOINES, Iowa — A new winner has been crowned top dog in an annual pageant for “beautiful bulldogs.”

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According to the Des Moines Register, Bam Bam, of Champlin, Minnesota, bested 29 other English bulldogs Monday to win Drake University’s annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The honor means that the 5-year-old pooch will serve as the mascot of the 2022 Drake Relays track and field event, which concludes this weekend.

“Congratulations, Bam Bam!” the university tweeted of the costumed canine owned by Maggie Estby. “See you this weekend on the Blue Oval!”

Bam Bam takes over for 2021 champion Myrtle Mae, a rescue dog owned by Whitney Bogdanski of Des Moines, according to the university.

Two other dogs also took home awards at this year’s pageant. Second-place finisher Elwood, 10, received the Porterhouse People’s Choice Award, while Beverley Pancakes was named “best dressed” for her breakfast-inspired costume, the Register reported.

The contest has been held annually since 1979, according to the newspaper.

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Bam Bam, owned by Maggie Estby, of Champlin, Minn., sits on the throne after being crowned the winner of the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Lola, owned by Kate Hansen, of Des Moines, Iowa, waits to be judged at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Mayzee, owned by Gayla Fisher, of Traynor, Iowa, waits to be judged at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Winston Bishop, owned by Sarah Warga, walks across the stage during judging at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Maggie Estby, of Champlin, Minn., hugs her bulldog Bam Bam after the pooch was crowned the winner of the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Maggie Estby, of Champlin, Minn., high-fives her bulldog Bam Bam after the pooch was crowned the winner of the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Bruce, owned by Bruce Myers, rides a skateboard to the stage for judging during the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Brandi Ragan, of Ankeny, Iowa, kisses her bulldog Poppy during the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Bowser, owned by Angela Carey, walks off the stage during judging at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Bella, owned by Rafael Torres, of Marshalltown, Iowa, walks across stage during judging at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Muffin, owned by Donald Spain, stands on the stage during judging at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photos: 'Beautiful bulldogs' vie for crown in annual Drake Relays pageant Polie, owned by Mitchell Klinkner, walks across the stage during judging at the annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 25, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageant kicks off the Drake Relays festivities at Drake University where a bulldog is the mascot. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)